SOURCE: ANI

The India-US Homeland Security Dialogue deepened the strategic partnership between Washington, DC and New Delhi on issues ranging from counternarcotics cooperation and customs-to-customs collaboration to combating terrorism and cybercrime and addressing irregular migration, an official readout from US Homeland Security said. From February 27 to February 29, the senior official performing the duties of US Deputy Secretary Kristie Canegallo and Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla met in New Delhi to co-chair the India-US Homeland Security Dialogue.

During the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed the commitment of the United States and India to strengthen access to lawful immigration pathways while enforcing immigration law to include returns of individuals who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States. They also agreed to work together to expand law enforcement cooperation to target smugglers who prey on and profit from vulnerable migrants, it added.

SOURCE: PIB

Keel Laying Ceremony of the first Cadet Training Ship (Yard-18003) was held at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, on 29 Feb 24. The ceremony was presided by R Adm Ravi Kumar Dhingra, Flag Officer Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Area in presence of R Adm G K Harish, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Head Shipbuilding Business, L&T and other Senior officials from Indian Navy and M/s L&T.

The Contract for indigenous design and construction of the three Cadet Training Ships was concluded between MoD and M/s L&T on 07 Mar 23. These Cadet Training Ships will be utilized for training officer cadets at sea after their basic training ashore. These ships will also extend training facility to cadets from friendly foreign countries.

SOURCE: ANI

Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted a drone that was allegedly carrying three packets of heroin in the border area of Amritsar district.

“In the evening hours of 28th February 2024, BSF troops intercepted a suspected flying object in the border area of district Amritsar and promptly tracked, neutralized and traced its movement as per laid down procedure,” an official statement issued by BSF said.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian aerospace industry is set to receive a significant boost with the announcement of a joint initiative by the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL). The two organizations are joining forces to establish a cutting-edge Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Avionics in Chandigarh.

Avionics, comprising vital electronic systems utilized on aircraft such as communications and navigation equipment, sensors, cockpit display panels, and flight control instruments, play a pivotal role in modern aviation.

SOURCE: AFI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic moment on Wednesday by laying the foundation stone for a groundbreaking ?950-crore project set to redefine India’s space exploration capabilities. Spanning across 2,233 acres in Padukkapathu, Pallakurichi, and Mathavankurichi villages in Kulasekarapattinam and Sathankulam taluks, the project heralds the establishment of a state-of-the-art spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam.

Distinguished from the space center at Sriharikota, which primarily launches heavier satellites into predetermined orbits, the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport is poised to specialize in launching smaller payloads, including nano and micro satellites. This strategic shift in focus underscores India’s commitment to diversifying its space capabilities and catering to the evolving needs of the global aerospace industry.

SOURCE: AFI

A secessionist group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has announced plans to hold a protest and “challenge” India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, during his visit to Surrey, British Columbia. Verma is scheduled to visit the province, including stops in Victoria, Vancouver, and Surrey, where he will meet with local officials and business leaders.

SFJ’s general counsel, Gurpatwant Pannun, stated in an email that the group will “Question-Target” Verma on March 1st, holding him accountable for the alleged “orchestration” of the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan figure killed in Surrey last year.

SOURCE: AFI

The Eastern Command of the Indian Army successfully concluded its annual Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) field firing exercise at the Teesta Field Firing Range from February 20 to 28, 2024. Over 1500 personnel from various Infantry and Mechanized Infantry Battalions participated in this crucial training event, showcasing the command’s ability to mobilize and coordinate large-scale operations.

The exercise emphasized practical training, with soldiers engaging in live firing of over 260 missiles. This provided them with a realistic opportunity to hone their skills in operating and deploying ATGM systems effectively.

SOURCE: BLOOMBERG

India’s national space program has notched up some impressive accomplishments, such as the first landing near the south pole of the moon last year, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week announced the names of four Indian astronauts for the country’s first crewed mission in 2025. But the private sector hasn’t had the same level of success, with Indian startups trailing their counterparts in China.

Eager to turn that around ahead of national elections expected in April and May, Modi’s cabinet last week approved rules designed to encourage foreign investment in rocket and satellite manufacturing. That’s just the beginning, according to one of Modi’s top space officials.

SOURCE: PTI

The Biden administration hopes that the four-nation grouping QUAD continues the momentum of its past three years under India’s presidency in 2024, the White House has said.

“The president (Joe Biden) is incredibly proud of the progress QUAD has made over the past three years,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference on Wednesday.

SOURCE: PTI

The grouping of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the US continues to be a priority for the Biden administration and is not on the back-burner due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the White House has said.

The I2U2 grouping remains critically important and President Joe Biden is “deeply committed to making sure that we continue” with the grouping, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at the White House here on Wednesday.

SOURCE: PIB

The launch of ‘Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge, LSAM 18’, 4th Barge of 11 x ACTCM Barge Project, built by MSME Shipyard, M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane for Indian Navy, was undertaken on 28 Feb 24. The launching Ceremony was presided over by Cmde Shirish Dube, Directorate of Ship Production.

The contract for building 11 X ACTCM Barge was signed between MoD and M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane on 05 Mar 21. The availability of these Barges would provide impetus to operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.

SOURCE: PTI

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Thursday said his government will not collect biometric details of Myanmar and Bangladesh refugees. The Chief Minister said the Centre is providing assistance to the state government to provide relief to refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh and internally displaced people (IDP) from Manipur, who are taking shelter in the state.

Lalduhoma told the state assembly the Home Ministry had directed the state to collect biometric data of Myanmar and Bangladesh refugees in April 2023.

SOURCE: PTI

The Supreme Court today agreed to hear in March a plea seeking direction to the government to release Rohingya refugees who have been “illegally and arbitrarily” detained in jails and detention centres across the country.

A bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Sandeep Mehta agreed to list the plea after advocate Prashant Bhushan mentioned the matter, saying the case has not been posted for hearing.

SOURCE: AFI

In response to the recent incidents of violence allegedly perpetrated by individuals involved in the farmers’ protests, authorities in Haryana have escalated efforts to curb such activities. Notably, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ambala, Joginder Sharma, has announced plans to target individuals identified as participating in violent acts, particularly those crossing over from Punjab into Haryana.

“We have identified individuals involved in violence coming to Haryana from Punjab in the name of farmers’ protest,” stated DSP Joginder Sharma. “We have identified them with CCTV cameras and drone cameras. We will request the Ministry and embassy to cancel their Visas and passports… Their photos, names, and addresses will be given to the passport office. We are working on canceling their passports.”

SOURCE: IANS

Abdul Karim Tunda (80), an accused in the serial blast case that rocked five cities in 1993, was acquitted by the TADA court of Ajmer in Rajasthan on Thursday. Two others Irfan (70) and Hameeduddin (44) were sentenced to life imprisonment. The police brought them to the TADA court at around 11.15 a.m. amid tight security. The three were accused in the serial bomb blasts in trains in Lucknow, Kanpur, Hyderabad, Surat and Mumbai on December 6, 1993.

On February 28, 2004, the TADA court had sentenced 16 accused to life imprisonment in the case. The Supreme Court had acquitted four men and upheld sentences for the remaining. Tunda was accused of a bomb blast in front of the police headquarters in Delhi in 1996. And in the same year, Interpol had issued a Red Corner Notice against him. In 2000, there were reports of Tunda being killed in Bangladesh, but in 2005 Lashkar terrorist Abdul Razzaq Masood was caught in Delhi, who revealed that Tunda was alive.